Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta once had a telling response about the potential of Emile Smith Rowe as he struggled to hide a smile when discussing the midfielder. Smith Rowe was previously hailed as a future star for the Gunners but has been plagued by injuries and dips in form over recent years.
It was not long ago that the England international was spearheading a new era for Arsenal, alongside fellow Hale End graduate Bukayo Saka. Now, it appears Smith Rowe is on the brink of a £35million switch to Fulham, a stark contrast to the bright future once envisioned for him at Arsenal.
Back when Smith Rowe was starring for Arteta's side, any offer like the current one from Fulham would have been instantly dismissed. However, times have changed; the player's form has waned, and the initial promise seems to be fading, leading to the likelihood of Smith Rowe leaving the club he joined as a 10-year-old.
In a 2020 interview with Sky Sports, Arteta couldn't hide his enthusiasm as he lavished praise on his new number 10: "He's a player with very specific qualities to play in those pockets in that position as an attacking midfielder. I am excited to work with him. I have been talking with him and I have followed him during his spell on loan. I think he's someone who can be pretty impressive.
"I'm pleased by what I've seen from him. He needed that exposure and he looks more mature now. I think he will be in a much better place when he comes back in pre-season.
"The young players want to be important, they want to take the important numbers, and I like that. It's a good step. and they can be important in the future, but it's up to them to decide that."
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Smith Rowe ended the 2020/21 campaign with two league goals and Arteta attempted to temper expectations around the promising attacking midfielder. "He's scoring his first Premier League goal - an incredible season for a No. 10 of Arsenal means he needs to score 15 goals and give 10 assists," the Arsenal boss explained.
"Then you are right up there with the top guys in Europe and in the league. He's got the ability to do it but he hasn't done it. We need to stay calm with him, give him the right support and step by step, I think he will be getting there."
His goal tally increased to 10 the following season but a groin injury in 2022 hampered the progress of the promising midfielder. After a long wait of 499 days for a start, Smith Rowe was candid about his situation at Arsenal last September: "Being at a massive club like Arsenal, we know there is so much competition.
"It is always going to be challenging, it is always going to be difficult to cement your place in the team. I have just got to keep believing in myself. Coming back and not quite getting back into the team, I have had to stay strong in my head and try to stay as positive as I can."
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has hinted at an imminent exit for Smith Rowe, with his absence from the 1-1 friendly draw against Bournemouth in the US raising eyebrows. Arteta said: "There are things happening in the background [with Smith Rowe] so we felt it was best not to use him."
It appears that the midfielder, once hailed as Mesut Ozil's successor, is on the verge of a move to Marco Silva's Fulham.
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